First Lady partners NPC, UNICEF to boost birth registration in Nigeria

By Kunle Sanni

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), has partnered with the National Population Commission (NPC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to enhance birth registration in Nigeria. This collaboration is marked by the launch of the UNICEF/RHI Commemorative Birth Certificate for 2024.

The NPC Chairman, Nasir Kwarra, disclosed this development after leading a delegation of development partners to the First Lady’s office in Abuja. He announced that the commemorative event, scheduled for August 29, 2024, represents a significant step forward in the government’s efforts to provide Nigerian children with their first official identity.

According to a statement by Busola Kukoyi, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the First Lady, the official launch of the UNICEF/RHI Commemorative Birth Certificate will take place on Thursday, August 29, in Abuja.

“This is a global initiative, which initially took place on August 10, 2024, but we are holding this special commemorative event with the First Lady leading the charge,” said Kwarra. “Our discussion with her was very productive, and I am confident that we have a significant event ahead that will drive the full implementation of birth registration. This will provide Nigerian children with their foundational identity and recognition, granting them access to government services, especially in education and health.”

UNICEF’s Chief Child Protection Officer, Ibrahim Sesay, who also attended the meeting, emphasized the importance of the launch in addressing gaps in birth registration and supporting data-driven development plans for children in Nigeria.

“It is crucial that we meet our obligations in birth registration,” Sesay stated. “The Office of the First Lady, through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), is now a key platform to ensure every child’s birth in Nigeria, starting on August 29, is registered across all parts of the country.”